Cricket: APD Dumfries dismiss Ferguslie

4052010

Russell Johnston drives his way to 32 (C) Ferguslie CC

APD Dumfries started their National League Division 2 campaign with a 73 run win away at Ferguslie. Captain Stuart Corbett-Byers led from the front top scoring with 55 in the Dumfries total of 169 and Josh Geary took three wickets to help dismiss Ferguslie for 96.

Dumfries were put in to bat and Ferguslie succeeded in taking two early wickets to have the visitors 2 down for 34. Then opener Russell Johnston and Josh Geary set about restoring the innings taking the score up to eighty when Johnston was bowled for 32. Geary followed rapidly caught for 25 and the innings required rebuilding once more.

Stuart Corbett-Byers launches another 6 (C) Ferguslie CC

Skipper Corbett-Byers at number five provided the crucial batting of the innings. With a series of partners he pushed up the total as more wickets fell and his late innings sixes lifted Dumfries spirits.

The innings closed on 169 when he was the last out for 55, caught on the boundary going for yet another six. The Dumfries side then provided the team performance which was required to defend such a total.

Both openers were removed early and the first wicket brought the Ferguslie professional, Mullick, to the wicket, fresh from first class cricket in India. He proved Ferguslie’s hope of a win as the Dumfries attack gradually worked their way through his batting partners.

Robert McBride hits the stumps for the 1st wicket (C) Ferguslie CC

Beveridge claimed two wickets with the score in the fifties. Rutnagur provided the partnership to reach a hopeful position of 91 for 4. However he was then the victim of another run out and the innings crumbled as the last six wickets fell for just five runs.

They were shared between Geary and Goodin who realistically ended any Ferguslie hopes when he had Mullick caught by McBride on the boundary. A final total of 96 meant a convincing win for APD Dumfries thanks to a good fielding effort and all of the six bowlers playing their part.

JMS Nunholm won their home Western Union Division 2 match against Anniesland on Saturday successfully chasing down their total of 123 with the loss of just 3 wickets

The visitors were put in to face an Alexander and Alexander bowling attack. Alexander senior delivered four consecutive maidens including a wicket bowled. 14 year-old Niall Alexander also opened with a maiden and claimed his wicket as the number three succumbed to run pressure.

Two missed catches in the slips off Stuart Alexander reprieved Carrick. However the key moment was a fine running catch by Niall Alexander off McCutcheon to dismiss him for 33.

The bowling of Davie Davidson also meant three wickets fell with the score on 66. Cross completed a sharp stumping and McCutcheon clung on to a lofted drive. A badly judged run also brought a run out. However Hawkins provided resistance and late order boundaries boosted the score until Johnstone bowled Hawkins for 41 and Newport bowled the last man for a final Anniesland total of 123.

That total still had to be negotiated in potentially bowling friendly conditions and Anniesland had hope when one opener was bowled early. However Farries batted well for 54 and Davidson made sure there were no slip-ups with 36 not out and the win was reached for the loss of three wickets and with half the overs bowled.